Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Ltd. on Thursday agreed to lift the lockout at two plants in Bidadi on the outskirts of Bangalore. The company had served the lockout notice on Sunday afternoon.
The company released a statement saying it has conveyed the decision to the Deputy Labour Commissioner. “The decision was taken considering the inclination and in the interest of the majority of law-abiding team members. We have decided to lift the lockout implemented vide notice dated March 16. Consequent to our above decision, the team members are welcome to resume work with effect from Monday, March 24 after signing a simple undertaking on good conduct,” it said. Assistant Labour Commissioner J.T. Jinkalappa told The Hindu that though the company has decided to end the lockout, some modalities remain to be worked out on Friday and that the wage dispute has been moved for adjudication.
Regarding the “good conduct undertaking”, Prasanna Kumar, president of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Employees’ Union (TKMEU), said the management wants workers to sign an undertaking, which was turned down by the union. "We will discuss our charter of demands with the company. As of now, we have not agreed to any condition. The matter has been posted for adjudication. The wage dispute remains," he said. The union wants a wage hike of Rs. 4,000 a month while the management has offered Rs. 3,050.
Suspensions unconfirmedMr. Kumar said, "At the tripartite meeting, we were told about some suspensions, but we asked the management to withdraw the same. We will not allow any suspensions."
